INSIDER
Once the Texas GOP’s “weak link,” Attorney General Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerful
Read full article: Once the Texas GOP’s “weak link,” Attorney General Ken Paxton is growing more popular and powerfulWith his impeachment and securities fraud case behind him, Paxton’s political stock is on the rise.
Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted of corruption charges at historic impeachment trial
Read full article: Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton is acquitted of corruption charges at historic impeachment trialTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been acquitted of all charges at his impeachment trial.
Texas AG Ken Paxton's impeachment trial defense includes claims of a Republican plot to remove him
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton's impeachment trial defense includes claims of a Republican plot to remove himTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has long denied corruption accusations that have dogged him for years.
State Sen. Dawn Buckingham wins bid to manage the Alamo, disaster relief funds and more as Texas’ next land commissioner
Read full article: State Sen. Dawn Buckingham wins bid to manage the Alamo, disaster relief funds and more as Texas’ next land commissionerThe land commissioner manages public land, enforces mineral rights leases, controls the Texas Permanent School Fund, distributes natural disaster relief funding and is responsible for the Alamo.
Dawn Buckingham and Jay Kleberg vie for open land commissioner seat overseeing the Alamo and disaster relief funds
Read full article: Dawn Buckingham and Jay Kleberg vie for open land commissioner seat overseeing the Alamo and disaster relief fundsThe land commissioner manages the Texas General Land Office, which manages the Alamo, administers natural disaster relief funding and helps fund public education. The seat is open after incumbent George P. Bush lost his primary bid for attorney general.
Ousters, upsets halfway through 2022 primary election season
Read full article: Ousters, upsets halfway through 2022 primary election seasonMore than halfway through a tumultuous primary season, voters have rendered verdicts in a number of contests, many of which featured candidates arguing they best represented a continuation of policies favored by former President Donald Trump.
Prosecutor won’t sue Texas AG Paxton over Jan. 6 records
Read full article: Prosecutor won’t sue Texas AG Paxton over Jan. 6 recordsProsecutors say they won’t move forward with a lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over his refusal to release his communications relating to his appearance at a pro-Donald Trump rally that preceded the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol last year.
Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talks
Read full article: Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talksSome 5,100 delegates and alternates voted on a party platform that also calls for ending the federal income tax, requiring education about fetal gestation and limiting the Legislature’s right to regulate guns.
Dawn Buckingham and Jay Kleberg will face off to be Texas’ next land commissioner in November
Read full article: Dawn Buckingham and Jay Kleberg will face off to be Texas’ next land commissioner in NovemberRepublican Dawn Buckingham and Democrat Jay Kleberg won their primary runoffs. The winner of November’s general election will replace George P. Bush as head of the Texas General Land Office.
Takeaways: Trump's big defeat; election denial backfiring
Read full article: Takeaways: Trump's big defeat; election denial backfiringFormer President Donald Trump’s crusade for vengeance suffered two devastating blows when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger won their primaries despite rejecting Trump’s entreaties to reverse his 2020 election loss.
George P. Bush’s defeat could be the end of the line for a four-generation political dynasty
Read full article: George P. Bush’s defeat could be the end of the line for a four-generation political dynastyBush’s defeat in the race for attorney general could mark the end of a four-generation political dynasty, and the end of an era of Texas politics that began when the first George Bush moved to Odessa in 1948.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton easily defeats George P. Bush in GOP primary runoff
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton easily defeats George P. Bush in GOP primary runoffBush, who has served for seven years as the state’s land commissioner, campaigned on restoring integrity to the attorney general’s office and hit Paxton for his legal and ethical troubles.
End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffs
Read full article: End of the Bush era? Democratic men in trouble? 5 things to watch during Texas’ primary runoffsTuesday’s elections will solidify the major parties’ statewide tickets and have national political implications.
2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhere
Read full article: 2022 midterms: What to watch in Texas, Georgia, elsewhereGeorgia takes center stage in Tuesday’s primary elections as Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger try to fight back challengers endorsed by Donald Trump.
New Texas plan for federal Hurricane Harvey aid yields same old result: Funds diverted away from Gulf Coast
Read full article: New Texas plan for federal Hurricane Harvey aid yields same old result: Funds diverted away from Gulf CoastDespite an admonition from federal authorities, Land Commissioner George P. Bush’s plan still steers aid disproportionately to whiter, inland counties at less risk of natural disasters.
George P. Bush’s family name proves to be key obstacle in his race against Ken Paxton for attorney general
Read full article: George P. Bush’s family name proves to be key obstacle in his race against Ken Paxton for attorney generalGeorge P. Bush is running for attorney general as a Trump-supporting, hard-right social conservative. But voters associate his family name with the party’s moderate wing. That could hurt him in the Republican primary runoff.
Feds say Texas discriminated against communities of color when it denied Houston flood aid
Read full article: Feds say Texas discriminated against communities of color when it denied Houston flood aidLand Commissioner George P. Bush is in the middle of a fierce runoff in the Republican primary for Texas attorney general against incumbent Ken Paxton. During the race, several of Bush’s opponents have criticized his office’s work in distributing Hurricane Harvey relief funds.
Analysis: Texas’ GOP runoffs hinge on a name that’s not on the ballot
Read full article: Analysis: Texas’ GOP runoffs hinge on a name that’s not on the ballotKen Paxton and George P. Bush are in a May runoff for attorney general — the top race on that GOP ballot. But a name that’s not on the ballot might be the biggest name in that race.
George P. Bush, Ken Paxton prepare for a bitter primary runoff battle for Texas attorney general
Read full article: George P. Bush, Ken Paxton prepare for a bitter primary runoff battle for Texas attorney generalBush is the underdog in the race. He had fewer votes than Paxton in the primary, and Paxton carries the coveted endorsement from former President Donald Trump. But the incumbent is still battling his felony indictment and a newer FBI investigation.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is headed to a runoff against George P. Bush
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is headed to a runoff against George P. BushThe two-term incumbent, beset by a criminal indictment and FBI probe, will face Bush, the state’s land commissioner and scion of a political dynasty, in the May 24 runoff.
TribCast: Texas politicians make their final push ahead of March 1 primary
Read full article: TribCast: Texas politicians make their final push ahead of March 1 primaryOn this week’s episode, Patrick Svitek and Kate McGee discuss the last push in some of the most interesting primary races on the ballot. But first, we discuss Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s proposal targeting tenure at public universities.
Debate between Texas GOP attorney general candidates got heated, even though incumbent Ken Paxton wasn’t there
Read full article: Debate between Texas GOP attorney general candidates got heated, even though incumbent Ken Paxton wasn’t thereLand Commissioner George P. Bush and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman repeatedly criticized each other. U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert focused on the incumbent, who didn’t participate.
Pushing falsehoods about Biden’s election is a plus for Republicans vying to be Texas’ top lawyer
Read full article: Pushing falsehoods about Biden’s election is a plus for Republicans vying to be Texas’ top lawyerIncumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, one of his challengers, have embraced disproven claims of 2020 election fraud. It’s a sentiment shared with most Texas Republicans, according to political experts.
Attacks fly in final days of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s primary fight
Read full article: Attacks fly in final days of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s primary fightPaxton is targeting one of his challengers, Louie Gohmert, while another challenger, George P. Bush, is going after challenger Eva Guzman.
Texas land commissioner candidates compete to oversee Alamo and disaster relief funds
Read full article: Texas land commissioner candidates compete to oversee Alamo and disaster relief fundsLand Commissioner George P. Bush is stepping down to run for attorney general. Four Democrats and eight Republicans are seeking their parties’ nominations for the office.
Watch: Embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton fights for political life in GOP primary
Read full article: Watch: Embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton fights for political life in GOP primaryThe attorney general, who has had his own legal problems since his first year in office, is battling three GOP primary challengers: Eva Guzman, George P. Bush and Louie Gohmert.
After failing to disclose many donors, Ken Paxton files corrected campaign finance report
Read full article: After failing to disclose many donors, Ken Paxton files corrected campaign finance reportThe amended report came 13 days after the deadline and as the attorney general nears a hotly contested primary in which his ethics are a top issue.
Ken Paxton targets Louie Gohmert in hotly contested primary for attorney general
Read full article: Ken Paxton targets Louie Gohmert in hotly contested primary for attorney generalPaxton’s attack ads suggest that he sees Gohmert as a bigger threat than the other two Republicans in the race — Land Commissioner George P. Bush and former state Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.
How a Texas songbird and its endangered status became the center of a fight over the Hill Country
Read full article: How a Texas songbird and its endangered status became the center of a fight over the Hill CountryScientists say a study that estimated far more golden-cheeked warblers in Texas than previously thought has been attacked and taken out of context as the state and federal government battle over the bird’s endangered status.
In his bid for attorney general, George P. Bush pitches himself as the toughest candidate on the border
Read full article: In his bid for attorney general, George P. Bush pitches himself as the toughest candidate on the borderPolitical observers say the move is a gamble. All three other major Republican candidates for attorney general, including incumbent Ken Paxton, have strong stances on border security.
Gov. Greg Abbott inaugurates first stretch of state-funded border barrier in Starr County
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott inaugurates first stretch of state-funded border barrier in Starr CountyAbbott launched the construction of a wall along the Texas-Mexico border using state money and crowdfunded private donations. The state has at least $1.05 billion for the border barriers.
Republican primary for attorney general heats up, with challengers taking aim at Ken Paxton’s legal troubles
Read full article: Republican primary for attorney general heats up, with challengers taking aim at Ken Paxton’s legal troublesWith the candidate filing deadline behind them, the attorney general’s challengers jockey to establish themselves as best person to unseat him.
Texas Democrats rely on voters of color to be competitive. So why are their top statewide candidates mostly white?
Read full article: Texas Democrats rely on voters of color to be competitive. So why are their top statewide candidates mostly white?The GOP slate for statewide office includes two high-profile Latinos and two Black candidates who have previously held state or federal office. Republicans are making a play to be more competitive with voters of color as the state’s electorate grows more diverse.
U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert exploring run against Attorney General Ken Paxton in increasingly crowded GOP primary
Read full article: U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert exploring run against Attorney General Ken Paxton in increasingly crowded GOP primaryLand Commissioner George P. Bush, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and state Rep. Matt Krause are also vying for the GOP nomination next year.
Greg Abbott leads Beto O’Rourke by 9 percentage points in hypothetical matchup, UT/TT Poll finds
Read full article: Greg Abbott leads Beto O’Rourke by 9 percentage points in hypothetical matchup, UT/TT Poll findsThe poll also found that potential candidate Matthew McConaughey is not universally beloved by Texans. About a quarter of respondents had an unfavorable opinion of the movie star who has flirted with running for governor.
Eva Guzman airs early ads in bid to stand out in crowded primary for attorney general
Read full article: Eva Guzman airs early ads in bid to stand out in crowded primary for attorney generalThe former state Supreme Court justice is one of three Texas Republicans vying to unseat incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Attorney General Ken Paxton’s three Republican challengers criticize his legal problems — and pitch themselves as the best GOP nominee
Read full article: Attorney General Ken Paxton’s three Republican challengers criticize his legal problems — and pitch themselves as the best GOP nomineePaxton is facing challenges from three fellow Republicans in his bid for a third term. In interviews at The Texas Tribune Festival, they each took him to task for the legal problems he has accrued in office, with two saying he should resign.
House Freedom Caucus member Matt Krause challenges Ken Paxton for Texas attorney general
Read full article: House Freedom Caucus member Matt Krause challenges Ken Paxton for Texas attorney generalThe Fort Worth lawmaker, who has been close to Paxton, is the third serious primary challenger to emerge.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets all-important endorsement from Donald Trump over fellow Republican George P. Bush
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gets all-important endorsement from Donald Trump over fellow Republican George P. BushPaxton is facing a primary challenge from Bush, the land commissioner, as well as Eva Guzman, the former state Supreme Court justice.
Texas veterans homes overseen by George P. Bush were often the deadliest places to be during COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Texas veterans homes overseen by George P. Bush were often the deadliest places to be during COVID-19 pandemicSeven of the state’s nine veterans homes had a fatality rate of 25% or more, far higher than the statewide average of 11% for nursing homes. Bush has vowed to not renew the operators’ contracts.
Texas attorney general says bar probe is unconstitutional
Read full article: Texas attorney general says bar probe is unconstitutionalLawyers for Texas’ embattled attorney general have asked the state bar association to drop its investigation into whether the Republican’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election amounted to professional misconduct.
George P. Bush outraises Attorney General Ken Paxton in primary challenge debut, though Paxton has bigger war chest
Read full article: George P. Bush outraises Attorney General Ken Paxton in primary challenge debut, though Paxton has bigger war chestBush started his Paxton challenge with a fundraising lead of $2.3 million to $1.8 million, but Paxton easily maintains the most cash on hand in a primary that also includes Eva Guzman, the former state Supreme Court justice.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush sues Biden administration over halt to Texas-Mexico border wall construction
Read full article: Land Commissioner George P. Bush sues Biden administration over halt to Texas-Mexico border wall constructionThe lawsuit says the president had no legal right to put a stop to wall construction on the Texas-Mexico border because Congress had already appropriated the funds.
Eva Guzman raises $1 million in first 10 days of attorney general campaign, with some major donor support
Read full article: Eva Guzman raises $1 million in first 10 days of attorney general campaign, with some major donor supportThe former state Supreme Court justice is one of two Republican primary challengers to Attorney General Ken Paxton, the other being Land Commissioner George P. Bush.
Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, officially starts campaign for attorney general
Read full article: Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, officially starts campaign for attorney generalThe Republican made her bid official Monday, touting her experience and integrity. She'll face incumbent Ken Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush in the primary.
T-Squared: Tickets for the 2021 Texas Tribune Festival are on sale now
Read full article: T-Squared: Tickets for the 2021 Texas Tribune Festival are on sale nowAs we emerge from the pandemic, our signature annual ideas conference will be a best-of-both-worlds convening. Some of our programming will be virtual. Some of it will be in person. All of it will be awesome.
Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, joins GOP primary challenge against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Read full article: Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, joins GOP primary challenge against Texas Attorney General Ken PaxtonGuzman's candidacy adds a new dynamic to the primary that is already unfolding between incumbent Paxton and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.
AP Exclusive: State bar investigating Texas attorney general
Read full article: AP Exclusive: State bar investigating Texas attorney generalThe Texas bar association has opened an investigation into whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election amounted to professional misconduct.
Republican state Sen. Dawn Buckingham running for Texas land commissioner
Read full article: Republican state Sen. Dawn Buckingham running for Texas land commissionerThe news of her decision comes two days after the current land commissioner, George P. Bush, announced he was running for attorney general next year, challenging fellow Republican Ken Paxton.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announces run for attorney general against Ken Paxton
Read full article: Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announces run for attorney general against Ken PaxtonBush made his challenge official Wednesday evening during an event at a downtown Austin bar. Former President Donald Trump said last week that he would issue an endorsement in the race "in the not-so-distant future."
Houston seethes over being frozen out of federal flood funds
Read full article: Houston seethes over being frozen out of federal flood fundsHouston residents and officials are seething over a Texas agency's decision to not award the city a single cent of the initial $1 billion in federal flood mitigation funding the state was promised following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Houston seethes over being frozen out of federal flood funds
Read full article: Houston seethes over being frozen out of federal flood fundsHouston residents and officials are seething over a Texas agency's decision to not award the city a single cent of the initial $1 billion in federal flood mitigation funding the state was promised following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
After Harris County was left out of latest round of Hurricane Harvey relief funds, George P. Bush asks feds for $750 million
Read full article: After Harris County was left out of latest round of Hurricane Harvey relief funds, George P. Bush asks feds for $750 millionBush's announcement comes after an outcry from Houston and Harris County leaders who requested $1.3 billion in federal funds for Harvey relief but were left off a list of recipients the General Land Office released.
Donald Trump says he'll endorse in likely primary battle for Texas attorney general between Ken Paxton, George P. Bush
Read full article: Donald Trump says he'll endorse in likely primary battle for Texas attorney general between Ken Paxton, George P. BushThe former president said in a statement Tuesday that he'll issue an endorsement "in the not-so-distant future."
Point of Order: George P. Bush supports Donald Trump in 2024, teases primary challenge to Ken Paxton
Read full article: Point of Order: George P. Bush supports Donald Trump in 2024, teases primary challenge to Ken PaxtonIn the latest episode of our podcast about the Texas Legislature, Evan Smith talks to Land Commissioner George P. Bush about the state of the state and the issues in play as the 2021 session winds down — and about his rumored plans to challenge Ken Paxton in the GOP primary for Texas attorney general.
George P. Bush wants to challenge beleaguered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. But can he keep Trump out of it?
Read full article: George P. Bush wants to challenge beleaguered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. But can he keep Trump out of it?Bush has a unique history with Trump as the only prominent member of his famous political family to back the former president. Meanwhile, Paxton has tightly aligned himself with Trump in recent months.
Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush "seriously considering" run for attorney general, lays out case against Ken Paxton
Read full article: Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush "seriously considering" run for attorney general, lays out case against Ken PaxtonAnalysis: In Texas, the end of a grinding election, and another already on the horizon
Read full article: Analysis: In Texas, the end of a grinding election, and another already on the horizonThis is an unseemly conversation, what with the 2020 election climaxing Tuesday, but it’s not an unusual one. The biggest offices in Texas are on the 2022 ballot, along with the attorney general: governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner and a seat on the Railroad Commission. Former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski, a Democrat and lawyer who wants to be attorney general, already has a website up and running — just like the people on the ballot this week. After the general election, there will be a frenzy of political fundraising. Attorney General Ken Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges more than five years ago and still hasn’t been tried.
As Ken Paxton battles scandal, Land Commissioner George P. Bush considering a 2022 run for attorney general
Read full article: As Ken Paxton battles scandal, Land Commissioner George P. Bush considering a 2022 run for attorney generalHe was elected in 2014 to oversee the Texas General Land Office, a statewide position. The Bush aide's statement was first published by the website Texas Scorecard, an arm of the hardline conservative group Empower Texans. The allegations are tied to a Paxton political donor, Nate Paul, whose interests, aides say, Paxton used his office to serve. McCarty confirmed his resignation to The Texas Tribune but declined to comment further. Disclosure: The Texas General Land Office has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.
Hurricane Harvey: The long road to recovery still hasnt ended for many in Houston
Read full article: Hurricane Harvey: The long road to recovery still hasnt ended for many in HoustonHOUSTON Its been nearly three years since Harvey hammered the Houston area and yet, there are still those who havent fully recovered. The City of Houston and the State of Texas have been locked in a battle over how to manage the rebuilding effort. In March, the Texas General Land Office came to an agreement with Harris County to take over the rebuilding efforts. The City of Houston had a different opinion when approached by the state. Both are now working with and seeing progress through the GLO, as the temporary restraining order does not impact their rebuilding efforts.
Houston files lawsuit against Texas General Land Office from taking control of Harvey diaster funds
Read full article: Houston files lawsuit against Texas General Land Office from taking control of Harvey diaster fundsHOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner and the city of Houston seek a temporary restraining order to prevent the Texas General Land Office from taking control of Hurricane Harvey disaster relief funds. Nearly two years ago, the federal government provided those funds to assist Houston homeowners, whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Harvey. According to city officials, Houston has allocated $446 million or 35% of the total funds to homeowners. The single-family program has served 234 homeowners, with another 246 families submitted to or approved by GLO and currently being served, according to Houston officials. Houston officials also contend that the citys programs are better and more appropriate for the citizens than the GLOs plans, which proposed amendments that violate the terms of its sub-recipient agreement.
One Bush makes his choice clear: George P. Bush will endorse Donald Trump
Read full article: One Bush makes his choice clear: George P. Bush will endorse Donald TrumpGeorge P. Bush gives a eulogy during the funeral for former President George H.W. David J. Phillip/Pool via REUTERSTexas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced his intention to vote for President Donald Trump in November, representing a rare public nod of support for the president from Bushs legendary political family. President Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism, Bush, the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and nephew of former President George W. Bush, said in a statement provided by his office while also announcing plans to give Trump a formal endorsement. George P. Bush has been called by the president the Bush that got it right and Bush has been supportive of Trumps policies and in the presidents handling of the coronavirus pandemic.